Leaders across Borders is an advanced leadership development program aimed at building the binational leadership capacity of public health, health care, and other community-sector leaders working to improve the community health in the U.S.-México border region. The United States-México border region is defined as the area of land being 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) north and south of the international boundary (La Paz Agreement).

Who should participate?

This program is intended for public health, health care, and other community-sector leaders who meet the following requirements:

Have at least five years experience working in the U.S.-México border region

Committed to working with vulnerable populations and promoting health equity, eliminating health disparities, and increasing quality of life within the U.S.-México border region

Seeking to enhance their leadership and health diplomacy skills, professional networks, and understanding of binational public health assets, challenges, and systems as a means to identify solutions

Participants will receive the following through their participation in the LaB program:

A better understanding of personal leadership strengths and opportunities for improvement

Enhanced collaborative leadership and health diplomacy skills

An improved understanding of the U.S.-México border region and its populations, health systems, and government and non-government institutions

Increased cultural competency

Strengthened trans-border professional networks

A certificate/diplomado from the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey

What is the required time commitment?

(160 Hours)

Selected candidates will participate in—

All LaB in-person learning events, which amount to approximately 12 days including travel time (a three-day orientation, a three-day retreat, and a three-day end of program/graduation)

Activities that develop personal leadership skills (50 hours) and binational action-learning team projects (20 hours) that address complex border health concerns and leadership challenges through monthly distance team meetings, assisted by a team facilitator, and independent work

Coursework to include the following:

Introduction to Epidemiology in the México-U.S. Border Region (10 hours)

Analysis and Improvement of Health Care Processes in the Border Region (30 hours)

Activities designed to solicit feedback and provide evaluation information

Note: Scholarships may be available to offset travel, lodging, and per diem expenses. For more information, contact Christine Cervantez or Gabriela Escalante González (see below for contact information). “U.S. federal employees must be on a Leave Without Pay status during their participation in Leaders across Borders activities to be eligible for sponsorship.”

What are the preferred participant qualifications?

LaB participants should meet the following criteria:

Serve as health professionals regardless of academic level

Live and possess five years experience working in public health, health-related fields, or community settings within the U.S.-México border region

Currently work in a leadership role

Be proficient in English and Spanish, a minimum understanding of both languages is required

Proposed U.S. participants must be formally nominated by their employer/professional organization to be eligible for participation in the program. The nomination form can be found at www.borderhealth.org. Once formally nominated by an employer/professional organization, interested applicants are required to complete the online application.

To assist in this process, all applicants are asked to adhere to the following steps:

Complete the online application.

Submit a brief essay (1,000 words) that includes each of these points:

How will this program help you meet some of your individual training and leadership development needs?

What is a key area of concern or a public health priority for you, and how will this program help you address it?

How can this program help strengthen your organization’s capacity to binationally promote healthy communities in the border region?

What key partnerships or systems would you like to develop or strengthen to reduce health inequities and promote healthy communities in the U.S.-México border region?

If you do not meet the preferred qualifications please describe the knowledge, skills, and experiences you bring to the program.

Submit curriculum vitae or resume.

Submit two letters of recommendation. One letter from your immediate supervisor is required

Submit scholarship request, if applicable.

Agree to program commitments listed on the application.

Important: As you will be applying electronically, please have all required items listed above readily available before you begin the application process. Once you begin the online application, you will be required to complete the entire process. You will not be allowed to save your place in order to return to it at a later time.

Leaders across Borders is made possible by support from the U.S.-México Border Health Commission (BHC) in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Border Health and the BHC Arizona, Baja California and Nuevo León Outreach Offices.